ARS researchers have developed artificial copies of insects’ brain chemicals that could prove useful for controlling insect behavior. These synthetic brain chemicals disrupt insect digestion, development, reproduction, and other vital body functions. The chemicals mimic natural chemicals in an insect’s brain, called neuropeptides, which control development, digestion and water balance. This invention could be used to develop commercial formulations that could be applied to a farmer’s field for disrupting insect development and other physiological functions, ultimately controlling insect populations.

This invention could be used by chemical companies involved in manufacturing pesticides, biopesticides, and other insect control formulas. Farmers will benefit from new insect control methods, since many insect pests are developing resistance to other chemical controls.